Welcome from the Board of Directors

Dr. Rowena B. Nafianog got a Doctorate in Education from Philippine Christian University in 2017, a Master's in Educational Management from the University of the Philippines, and a Bachelor's Degree in Education from St. Louis University in Baguio, Philippines. She also received a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University in 2019 and a Certificate in Teaching English Language from the University of Cambridge.  Her 26 years of experience in education include roles as a teacher, curriculum/events coordinator, administrator, consultant, trainer, head of academics, and principal at different international schools in the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. She also provided training, workshops, and seminars for teachers in ten ASEAN countries.  She is now pursuing a Post-Doctorate Degree in Guidance and Counselling and a second Master's Degree in Education with a focus on Special Education (MEd SPED). Dr. Rowena is certain she can be a change agent in bringing Irrawaddy Academy's vision and goal to reality in this age of ubiquitous technology. 

Myat Thanda Tun, MA (she/her/hers),is originally from Myanmar(Burma), in Southeast Asia. She holds her Bachelor's degree in Economics from the Institute of Economics in Yangon and earned her Master's degree in Health and Human Services Administration from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

She was an Asia Pacific Leadership Fellow at the East-West Center, an educational and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii and her studies at the East West Center focused on intercultural leadership skills and cultural development. She had extensive professional experiences in Myanmar and in the United States, including Cross Cultural Conflict Training, Education and Leadership Coaching.

She is fluent in Burmese and English, and has basic knowledge of Thai. She had the chance to learn Somali and is looking to enhance her proficiency. Myat served as a board member of the Karen Organization of Minnesota (2013-2019), Global Literacy Advisory Board Member, Minnesota Department of Education (2013-2014), Task Force members of the Metro Refugee Health, Minnesota Department of Health, and the City of Golden Valley’s Inclusion Task Force (Rising TIDES-Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Social Justice), and the member of the Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion & Equity, 2021-2023.

During her leisure time, she enjoys exploring various cultures, countries, and historical contexts. She also dedicates time to volunteering at community events, activities, and local organization functions. Myat currently resides in the Twin Cities area, with her husband and her daughter. She is a leading member of the Burmese Theravada Buddhist Community Minnesota. 

Dr. Oo, a Physician trained in Burma with extensive experience in Tropical Medicine, worked as
a United Nations Physician/ WHO Consultant in Uganda for 4 years before her arrival to MN. 
She also worked as a Research Clinician on a project on women’s health initiatives at Hennepin
Faculty Associates ( Berman Center for Clinical Research ) in Minneapolis.  Dr. Oo has worked
as an experienced interpreter at the Center for Victims of Torture in Minneapolis and several
other interpreter agencies.
Since her arrival in Minnesota, she completed the required United States Medical Licensure
Exams (USMLE) in spite of having a son with special needs (Autism). As she was unable to get
into a medical residency program, she joined AAFACD/ New Americans Alliance for
Development as the Program Coordinator/ Director, passionately advocating for fellow
Immigrant Health Professioanls to get back into their professions and fill the much needed
physician shortage.
Dr Oo is a 2013 Bush Fellow- her work included building leadership capacity with interpreters
from the Burmese/Karen Community
Dr Oo also belongs to a community organization (CID, MN - Community Improvement and
development, MN) which assists newly arrived Burmese/Karen Immigrants assimilate within
their community.

Farah is an enthusiastic and dedicated social worker with over six years of experience in the education sector, particularly focused on children. She has worked extensively with self-help groups aimed at educational support and is familiar with assisting individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Farah is motivated to provide the best possible support to clients in need of educational and social care. She adapts effectively to a wide range of situations that arise with individuals and families. Additionally, she is committed to advocating for excluded children to access education and is particularly passionate about promoting literacy among women in her country, where many women face barriers to education.